Why do US Tomahawk strikes often take place at night?
In past attacks, Tomahawks have typically launched from US warships at night to strike land targets.
Last year, the US launched a night raid on Syria's Shayrat military airport, causing some damage, and this time too, Tomahawk missiles launched the strike at night local time.
Going further back, from Iraq, Kosovo to Libya... there have also been recorded night attacks from the coalition, so what causes darkness to become the attacker's companion?
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| US destroyer launches Tomahawk cruise missile at night |
Current US war vehicles are all integrated with FLIR night vision infrared detection systems, CCD digital cameras and laser rangefinders with very strong night combat capabilities.
Meanwhile, on the other side, night fighting has never been an advantage, most of America's opponents lack the necessary equipment to operate effectively at this time.
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| Night combat is considered a great advantage of the US. |
For example, intercepting a Tomahawk, when the missile flies low and sticks to the terrain and is supported by electronic warfare aircraft, it is almost impossible for early warning radar systems to detect it from a distance.
In this case, according to experience in countering air attacks, it would be necessary to set up a visual observation station in the direction of the missile's expected attack. If the Tomhawk flies during the day, it will be much easier to clearly identify it than at night, and in the absence of powerful optoelectronic equipment.Another reason that needs to be mentioned is that although the combat duty is set at a high level, the spirit and alertness of soldiers on night watch can never be equal to that of the day, making it easy to give false warnings or miss targets.
Therefore, firing BGM-109 Tomahawk missiles at night will result in a lower probability of being detected, thereby leading to an easier victory for the air raid.
